Are these worth it? How much are the PIAA ones? Found some from http://capitolwest.com/exterior_accessories.htm#headlight%20rings for $35. Anyone have any experience with them? Which bulbs should I get? Is there a big difference? I'm "in the dark" on this matter, so "enlighten" me. Grin. Thanks to all.

Daniel

Both Hella and Philips make a replacement H4 bulb (and others) with xenon gas that promises 30% brighter white light at stock wattage. I have the Hella's and can confirm this is true, but one has burned out after only 6 months (no warranty offered). They cost under $20 each.


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Dean Albrecht
94 E500
99 ML320

www.need2speed.web.com

Excellent follow-up, do not get sucked into the "blue bulb" mess. This created dangerous lighting levels (read as NO GOOD LIGHT). I fyou want real good light convert to "E" spec headlights, check on the legal implications. Or check out Dan Stearns lighting web page, great technical information and myth busting.

Good luck.
P.S. I am running 130/100W Bosch E-spec headlights, I have MUCH light but it requires full secondary wiring.

Sorry Mark,I have to disagree. I purchased some xenon gas charged bulbs made by http://www.24hiper.com from http://www.autoindulgence.com . What a vast improvment over stock for visibility. Must be seen from the driver seat. Cheap versions function exactly as that..."Cheap". These were $35 a set.

To Dean,
I have heard many complaints about the Hella's and PIAA's burning out quickly. I have been running my bulbs for over a year with no problems or complaints

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'99 SLK230 (Bahama Blue)
17" O.Z. Racing "Vela" Modular wheels
Real carbon fiber interior
AMG sideskirts
Custom rear wing

'96 Impala SS (Black)
17" Boyd's "Phoenix" wheels
Custom exhaust
Full custom interior(black and purple) with real carbon fiber
Custom intake

'94 Firebird Formula (Turquoise)
17" Antera "Opus One" (three spoke) wheels
Full custom interior
Vortech Supercharger
Other Misc Craziness

Heres a write up that overboost did on these HID look lights and draw your own conclusion.
http://www.overboost.com/story.asp?id=102

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My name is Joey and I drive a silver car.

Joey has located another site that destroys the myth of the "blue "lights. Bet the lamps that you have do not have the "blue" coating on the bulb. In that case you may have better light.

Consider the E specification headlight assemblies for your car.

Good Luck
Mark

Keep in mind that unless you are going for over-watt bulbs, PIAA(Plasma White or SuperWhite)is NOT recommended. PIAA has stated that their bulbs work the best with Euro-Spec headlight, and will NOT performance as well with US headlights.

As for Xenon light bulbs, it's NOT necessary for Xenon light bulbs to have blue tinted glass. Therefore, if you are going for stock wattage, go for Xenon gas filled bulbs with NO tint. As Dean stated, Hella's Xenon light bulbs is pretty bright, definitely brighter then OE bulbs.

P.S. Handle Xenon gas filled bulbs with more care, they tend to be more sensitive to fingerprints/dirt and usually won't last more then 3 months if you have fingerprints on it.....

Andy Kuo

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Pearl Grey/Black Leather
</UL>
ICQ#26950002
Mercedes Owners ICQ ActiveList ID#61730549
Mercedes S-Class Page
http://akry.web.com http://akry.homestead.com/files/mercedes_benz_2.gif

I've had Piaa (plasma blue) H1's for a while and they burn out quickly. I had to get new ones every 3 months or so. Although the visibility does improve, they are a pain in the #$^ to replace. After about a year of Piaa's I finally replaced my headlamps to Zenon.

Chuck

My understanding is, never handle the glass of a headlight globe.
If you do by accident, wipe it clean with tissue dipped in Methylated Spirits.

Joey, that's definetly some interesting data you posted. I wanted to do some driving before reposting to this subject and make sure I wasn't out of my mind. When I drive, I do it NOT by looking 100 or even 50 feet down the road but looking at whats immediately in front of me. The "in car" shots that Joeys post illustrates so well (do an A to B comaprison, open the halogen shot and say the PIAA shot in a new window and, in the menu bar, flip them back and forth). You will see the immediate road in front of the vehicle is indeed more well illuminated. This is the usable effectiveness that myself and Mr. Albrecht are experincing. All of my driving is done in the city or suburbs where 50 feet down the road is so illuminated by ambient light that any light being cast by my headlights would go unseen. If I do any driving down a pitch black road, I turn my "brights" on anyway. I have to say, after swapping my original bulbs in this weekend and back out again for the "Hiper" ones, I may be out of my mind (when it comes to life in general) but these bulbs definetly make driving at night more pleasurable. Next test, in the rain... I'll try to post some results. Paul


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'99 SLK230 (Bahama Blue)
17" O.Z. Racing "Vela" Modular wheels
Real carbon fiber interior
AMG sideskirts
Custom rear wing

'96 Impala SS (Black)
17" Boyd's "Phoenix" wheels
Custom exhaust
Full custom interior(black and purple) with real carbon fiber
Custom intake

'94 Firebird Formula (Turquoise)
17" Antera "Opus One" (three spoke) wheels
Full custom interior
Vortech Supercharger
Other Misc Craziness